Fiction Fun: WIP

I have been working through some pretty major revisions on my WIP for the past several months. I'm nearing the finish line, though, and I'm really excited about this story. It's taken so much of my time and concentration due to its complexity that I haven't been able to visit other blogs or forums much. Which really bums me out, but I'm hoping to make up for lost time soon.

Anyway, since I've been working on these revisions so much, I don't have a post for today. Instead, I thought I'd share a snippet with you. So, here are the first two pages. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Family Lies

I am a genius.

Well, technically, I’m not. My IQ score is actually five points away from the genius range.

But, really, it’s close enough. Aristotle says ‘The energy of the mind is the essence of life,’ and I can speak six languages. I can also solve a Rubik’s cube in less than twenty-five seconds.

The only person I know who can do it faster is my best friend, Brian Quinlan, and he’s two years older. It’s only a matter of time before I’m the reigning champ.

“Todd!”

I jumped. My fork flew off my plate, clattering to the floor and scattering mashed potatoes everywhere. Oops.

My mom glowered at me, brown eyes narrowing. “I asked you to put that Rubik’s Cube away.”

I shoved it into the pocket of my Tesla sweatshirt and hunched over my plate. “Sorry.” Honestly, though, I didn’t think she’d notice. I mean, she was so busy talking to my Aunt Demi about some beef stew recipe. Boring.

“Aunt Demi asked you a question,” said Mom.

“Oh.” I picked up my fork, wiping it off with a napkin. “I didn’t hear. What did you ask?”

Aunt Demi set her wine glass on the table. “I asked how you like Lewis & Clark High so far.”

Finally! An interesting subject. “It’s great! It’s the best high school in Chicago, you know. And the teachers are really smart.”

“What’s your favorite class?”

Hmm. Calculus? Chemistry? Close, but not quite. “Physics. Mr. Steep is really cool. I just did an extra credit project on how the Wright Brothers developed the Kitty Hawk. Did you know they built their own wind tunnel?”

Aunt Demi shook her head, smiling.

“They did! And they used it to test different wing designs. They were some of the best innovators of all time. I’m learning much more than I did at my old school.”

Mom sighed, reaching for her wine glass. 

She hadn’t wanted me to start high school this year. She said I was too young. But I’m twelve, almost thirteen! I’m not a kid anymore. And I can handle everything my teachers throw at me.